Trip Introduction

Welcome to the Land of the Buddha. Join our 8 days Nepal Buddhist Cultural Tour in which we take you to some of the most important Buddhist sites in the world, including the birthplace of Buddha - Lumbini. The tour combines both the natural and cultural aspects of touring in Nepal, starting from Kathmandu: the cultural, historical and political center of Nepal. Kathmandu has its own brand of cultural life which is based on unique mixture different religions and faiths. In Kathmandu, we visit Boudhanath, Swoyambhunath, and many other important Buddhist monasteries. Then we head toward Pokhara - the adventure capital of Nepal. In Pokhara, along with some natural sites, we pay our visit to the World Peace Stupa and the Tibetan Regugee Center to get a firsthand experience of the Tibetan Buddhism lifestyle. Then we drive further southwest to the birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini. Devoting one full day in discovering the various cultural and spiritual sites at Lumbini, we drive back to Kathmandu for the return flight.

Not really satisfied with this itinerary ? Make your own Customize it !

Accommodations

All accommodations for Nepal Buddhist Culture tour are on twin sharing basis included in the trip cost and are chosen based on standard of hygiene, standard of service and food, location, etc. There are two styles of accommodations during our tour. You will spend three nights in a 4-star hotel, Hotel Shanker or similar category hotel in Kathmandu; two nights Mt. Kailash Resort or similar in Pokhara and two nights Hotel Lumbini Garden - New Crystal or similar in Lumbini. Mostly the buffet style breakfast will be provided in the Kathmandu hotel; Set breakfast might be arranged in outside Kathmandu hotel. If you are a solo traveler, you will share a room with someone else of same sex of your group. If you prefer a single room, you may indicate your preference and get single rooms on request by paying single supplement USD 650.

Meals

Mostly the buffet style breakfast will be provided in the Kathmandu hotel; Set breakfast might be arranged in outside Kathmandu hotel and all meals are available in the Jungle Safari.

Trip Start Dates

We will organize this trip on the dates requested by you. Please contact us for your customized departure date.

Additional Information

Our website contains as much information as possible about this trip. However, if you wish to discuss any aspect of this trip or your suitability for it please contact us by email. If you want to talk to us directly feel free to call us at: 00977-98510-55684

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu

Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport (TIA) you will be greeted by a representative from Himalayan Glacier Trekking. After completing your custom formalities (Visa, etc) pick up your luggage and look for our representative with a Himalayan Glacier Trekking display board at the arrival gate. You will be then transferred to Hotel Shanker or a similar category hotel. After check in, you can take a rest or visit our office. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by Himalayan Glacier at The Ship Restaurant Bar & Lounge. For dinner, you will be served excellent authentic Nepalese cuisine which will introduce you to the Nepalese food culture.Overnight at Kathmandu.

Today we pay our visit to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world and an important Buddhist pilgrimage. The unique octagonal Mandala design with hundreds of prayer wheels and the 108 images of the Buddha set into the niches around the huge structure. The area of Boudhnath is also famous for over 50 Tibetan Gompas or monasteries, the also being known as the 'Little Tibet'. The Kapan Monastery at Kapan Hill, a few kilometers higher north from Boudhanath is also known as Nepal Bouddhist Mahayan Centre. Kapan Monastery follows Gelug tradition of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism under the guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. There is also a nunnery nearby the main monastery, known as the Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery, home to about 400 nuns. Overnight at Kathmandu.

Included meals:Breakfast

Day 03: Visit Swoyambhunath & Drive to Pokhara

We drive to Swoyambhu Stupa in the morning, which is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in the world with more than 2000 years of history and also a major Buddhist pilgrimmage. According to legend, the civilization of Kathmandu Vallley itself begins with Swoyambhu, which literally means "the self-existent." It is said that Bodhisattva Manjusri came across a beautiful lake while traveling and saw a lotus, with thousand golden petals, diamonds pistils, ruby anthers, and lapis lazuli stalk. The legend also says that the lotus seed was planted on a full moon night by Bipaswi Buddha himself. In the course of time, Santikarcarya, the king who turned into a Bhikchu or a monk, raised the first stupa on the holy site. After visiting Swayambhunath, we make a 6-hour drive to Pokhara in the afternoon to pay our visit to some Buddhist sites there. Overnight at Pokhara.

Today we visit some Buddhist landmarks in Pokhara and also enjoy the nature's majesty. The massive Buddhist stupa of World Peace Pagoda was constructed by Buddhist monks from the Japanese Nipponzan Myohji organisation on a narrow ridge high above Phewa Tal. Besides being a cultural monument, the site is also famous for the panoramic view it offers of the Pokhara Valley. We cross the Phewa Lake on a boat and then hike to the Stupa. Then we will visit the Malepatan Gomba or monastery at Malepatan. Then we make another hike to Hyangja, the site for Tibetan refugee camp who fled Tibet after the Cultural Revolution in China. You may try the Tibetan variety of foods, bargain for curios, and at the same time acquaint yourself with the Tibetan culture. There is the Tashi Palkhiel monastery in the tradition of Karma Kagyu tradition. Overnight at Pokhara.

Included meals:Breakfast

Day 05: Drive to Lumbini

We drive to Lumbini today - about 290 kilometers south-west from Pokhara which takes for about 6-7 hours. We bid goodbye to the Himalayas in Pokhara, and head toward a more flat lands of Nepal's Terai. Generally, the weather gets hot and humid in the plains except in the winter. Perhaps, Lumbini is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site - the place where Buddha was born. In case we reach Lumbini around the sunset time, we can stroll in the local market to have a glimpse into the local lifestyle. Overnight at Lumbini.

Included meals:Breakfast

Day 06: Full Day Explore Lumbini

Lumbini is one of world's major religious, architectural, and historical places. We devote today's time in visiting as many places and sites in Lumbini as possible. The place is really a big area with monuments, temples, and ancients sites making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. First we visit the Mayadevi temple which is built on the exact place where Buddha was born. We spend some time wandering around the gardens. We also visit the museum and peace pagoda. Some of the important landmarks and monuments in Lumbini include: Ashoka's Pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka (249 BC) on the spot of Buddha's birth which also has the oldest inscription in Nepal. There are many Buddhist Temples founded by the devotees from different countries: Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese and Burmese, Korean, etc. Overnight at Lumbini.

Included meals:Breakfast

Day 07: Drive back to Kathmandu

We are nearing the end of our Buddhist Cultural Tour. We head back toward Kathmandu today - about 300 kilometers journey into the winding mountain road. The journey would take for about 6-7 hours. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. To celebrate the successful completion of our journey, we will have a farewell dinner at The Ship Restaurant Bar & Lounge where we can pick our meal from their carefully crafted menu that offer a wide range of choices.Overnight at Kathmandu.

Included meals:Breakfast

Day 08: Fly Home: Farewell Friend

Your Buddhist Cultural Tour in Nepal concludes today. We hope you enjoyed the tour with us, and are sure you will be back in your trip somewhere in the Himalaya again. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Himalayan Glacier Trekking will transfer you to the airport. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.

Included meals:Breakfast

Not really satisfied with this itinerary ? Make your own Customize it !

Important Note : Your safety is of paramount concern while traveling with Himalayan Glacier. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, since this adventure entails travelling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather conditions, health condition of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.

Route Map

Route maps are just representation of the trekking routes. This does not represent the exact geographical conditions.Click here for Buddhist Cultural Tour in Nepal route map

Trip Cost

Number of People

Price in US$ per person

1 person

$2233

2-4 person

$1225

Above 5

$1120

Included in the Cost

All airport/hotel transfers

Welcome and farewell dinner

Private car with driver

3 nights in 4-star hotel in Kathmandu ( Hotel Shanker or similar standard) and in 2-3 star hotel in Pokhara and Lumbini 2 nights each (All on B.B basis)

An experienced English-speaking tour guide including his salary, insurance, equipment, food and lodging

Accommodations

All accommodations for Nepal Buddhist Culture tour are on twin sharing basis included in the trip cost and are chosen based on standard of hygiene, standard of service and food, location, etc. There are two styles of accommodations during our tour. You will spend three nights in a 4-star hotel, Hotel Shanker or similar category hotel in Kathmandu; two nights Mt. Kailash Resort or similar in Pokhara and two nights Hotel Lumbini Garden - New Crystal or similar in Lumbini. Mostly the buffet style breakfast will be provided in the Kathmandu hotel; Set breakfast might be arranged in outside Kathmandu hotel. If you are a solo traveler, you will share a room with someone else of same sex of your group. If you prefer a single room, you may indicate your preference and get single rooms on request by paying single supplement USD 650.

Meals

Mostly the buffet style breakfast will be provided in the Kathmandu hotel; Set breakfast might be arranged in outside Kathmandu hotel and all meals are available in the Jungle Safari.